Page 36 of Kiss of Ruin (Brutal Empire)

Andreas scoffs. “You act like you’re the first wife in the Romero family to be cheated on. The difference is your husband chose a woman from a family of direct rival.”

My attention is drawn back to Carlos when he begins to speak again. “We warned him to break it off. Gave him the opportunity to do it. About a year into your marriage we realized that he’d gone back to Elena, learned about the child. We planned to have him killed and allow Nico to take over the business in New York.”

“Nico refused,” Andreas continues. “Told us he didn’t want you to be left alone again. Not so soon after your parents’ death.”

A lightness fills my chest at the realization that Nico truly did care for me this entire time. He loved me enough that he was willing to walk away if meant that I was happy.

“How did he convince you to let Luis live?”

Carlos’ lip turned up in a snarl. “Nico promised to stay away and keep Luis in check. Luis would keep his life and family as long as he stayed away from Elena. Andreas and I agreed.”

“We agreed, Carlos, but we both know the consequences of that decision. First, we had no idea how much impact his marriage to you would have on your sense of duty. Your loyalty moved to him over the family and business where it should have been all long. On top of that, Luis began to make careless decisions. He grew to believe he was untouchable.”

“He was never untouchable,” I agree.

Luis had stopped listening to me a few years into our marriage when I would suggest against taking on certain jobs. I warned him about the job that cost him his life. He believed he knew better than me.

“No, he was not. And Elena’s been the driving force in every decision he made when it came to the business. Those jobs always managed to benefit the DeLuca family in some way.” Carlos stands and walks over to Pedro’s liquor cabinet.

“I believe Elena is the key to bringing down the DeLuca family. She let the world think she’s dead while her family has been taking orders from her. Without her, the family unravels and falls apart.”

“Andreas and I have come to the same conclusion,” Carlos says, setting a drink in front of Andreas. “You didn’t have us come all the way to Miami to tell us that.”

“No. I asked you here to suggest you use me as bait. If I show up somewhere, Elena will too. She wants me dead and out of the picture for whatever reason she has in her head.”

“Absolutely fucking not.” The office door bursts open and Nico storms inside. “It’s about time you both told her the truth, but I will not let you send her to New York to be bait for the psychopathic bitch.”

Nico must have come back sooner than I thought he would. It’s clear he’s heard our entire conversation.

“Nico…” There’s a warning note to Andreas’ voice.

“Andreas, I will not allow her to be put in danger again. Especially when we know that Frankie is the key. You kidnap Frankie and Elena will do anything, give up anything to save him.

“Nico, you can’t—”

“Don’t Scarlett.” Nico cuts me off. “We are not going to discuss this right now. I have a plan. A plan Andreas and Carlos are well aware of.”

Nico looks between Andreas and Carlos. “Now that we are done discussing business, would either of you like to stay for lunch?”

Carlos and Andreas share a look and Andreas shakes his head. “No, we planned on checking in with Isabel and Pedro downtown before leaving.

“I’ll see you out,” Nico offers with more grace than I expect considering everything that he heard. Carlos is slower to get up, than Andreas. His eyes focus on mine for a brief second and I think about what he said about the things they expected of me.

I know the realities of taking Frankie are almost impossible, if Nico goes through with that plan and it fails, things won’t go well for him. I fear what Carlos and Andreas might do to him.

Nico may not want me in danger, but I will always be in danger as long as Elena is out there waiting for me. I expected him to return to the study when he was done. He still hasn’t and I get up and walk to see where he is.

The front door is still open. Nico has his hands raised holding onto to the top of the door frame. My heels click on the floor giving my presence away.

“Why, after everything that has happened would you agree to throw yourself to the wolves?” Before I can answer, he continues. “I can’t…No, I won’t let you do it.”

Without another word, he walks out the door. The click of it closing behind him echoes throughout the room. I watch as he climbs into his car and drives away.

My heart aches as I pull my phone from my pocket. I will protect my family. I dial Carlos’ number.

“That didn’t take long,” he greets me.

“I’m still willing to be the bait to get Elena out of hiding. And if you go through with my plan instead of Nico’s I’ll step back from sharing the role as head of family in the states with Nico.”

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